Transfer Student Admissions Requirements

KCAI strongly takes into consideration new applicants who have advanced academic and studio experience. We value students who choose to transfer into our undergraduate program and bring their unique educational perspective. In order for a new transfer student to receive a B.F.A degree from KCAI, they must complete our minimum residency requirement of four, full-time semesters.

If you wish to be considered for admission to KCAI you must submit the following items.

Application

Students will be required to submit a nonrefundable $45 application to complete the application process. This fee can be paid online, via credit card, when submitting your application, or a check or money order can be mailed to KCAI Admissions Office, 4415 Warwick Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64111.

Personal Statement

Your personal statement is a way for our admissions committee to get to know you. It should be as authentic as you are!

Your personal statement should be approximately 600 words (four paragraphs) and should be completed by answering the following four questions. Your responses should form four thoughtfully constructed paragraphs that provide us insight into who you are as an artist, student, and individual.

What is your background and experience in art?

Why are you interested in transferring to KCAI?

What are your artistic goals while attending KCAI?

What are your ambitions and career goals upon graduating from KCAI?

Portfolio

Your portfolio should consist of 10-15 images of recent work

KCAI recommends presenting a body of work demonstrating an understanding of the technical aspects of art making, as well as the ability to apply those skills toward more personal pieces. Working from direct observation can be a valuable way to build a technical, formal, and material vocabulary. Utilizing your technical vocabulary in your work shows us how you take creative risks.

We encourage you to consider the following:

Formal elements, such as composition, color, line, and point-of-view

Material exploration, as it relates to the ideas in your work

Content development, to show us your individual perspective

Keep in mind that no two portfolios are the same; your portfolio is a reflection of who you are and your art making experiences. Therefore, your work will be evaluated based on those experiences. If you’d like to receive individualized information about submitting your portfolio, please contact the Admissions Office.

College Transcripts

If you have completed undergraduate level college courses, you will need to submit your official college transcript(s). In order to be considered official, transcripts must be submitted one of the following ways:

Mail – If you’re sending your official transcript by mail, it must be mailed to us in an unopened envelope stamped and sealed by your college/university.

College Course Descriptions:

While it is not required it can be very helpful to send us course descriptions for the college course(s) that you’ve completed. If admitted, this will help to expedite your decision letter, including your transfer evaluation.

High School Transcripts

Only transfer students who have earned fewer than 24 college credits, including coursework in humanities and science, are required to submit a high school transcript. If you have not yet earned 24 college credits, please submit your official high school transcript following the information below.

In order to be considered official, transcripts must be submitted on one of the following ways:

Mail – If you’re sending your official transcript by mail, it must be mailed to us in an unopened envelope stamped and sealed by your high school.

In-person – If you are hand delivering your transcript, during a visit to campus, it must arrive in an unopened envelope stamped and sealed by your high school.

If you are a home-schooled student, you must submit official transcripts from any high school(s) attended, in addition to your home-school transcript.

If you have completed your GED, you must submit the official GED score report and official transcripts from any high school(s) attended, if applicable.

Standardized Test Scores

All students are required to submit official test scores unless they meet one of the following exemptions:

Only transfer students that have earned less than 24 college credits, including coursework in humanities and science, are required to submit standardized test scores. If you have not yet earned 24 college credits, please submit your test scores by following the information below.

Graduated from high school more than three years ago.*If you do not meet the two exceptions above and you have never taken the SAT or ACT, please contact the Admissions Office to inquire about next steps.

In order to be considered official, test scores must be submitted one of the following ways:

High School Transcript – If your ACT or SAT scores appear on your high school transcript they will be considered official.

Testing Agency:

ACT scores can be requested by visiting their website. Please note our school code is 2277

SAT scores can be sent to us directly from the College Board using one of the following two services. Please note our school code is 6330

AP or IB Credit

If you have completed Advanced Placement Examinations (AP) or International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, you may apply those credits to KCAI. For detailed information please click here.

Letter of Recommendation

One letter of recommendation is required for all applicants. Letters of recommendation are helpful in getting to know you within an educational setting. We strongly encourage you to pick a teacher who can speak to things like your work ethic, art making abilities, and personal character.

Letters of recommendation must be submitted in one of the following ways:

Digital/Electronic:

You can request a letter of recommendation via SlideRoom. Please note that you will need the following information to use this feature.

Name and email of your recommender

Mail – If you’re sending your letter of recommendation by mail, it must be mailed to us by the recommender in an unopened envelope.